U.S. prohibits use of federal funds for either reproductive or therapeutic cloning

For
the first time, researchers claim to have achieved "therapeutic cloning" of
adults, which involves producing embryonic cells genetically identical
to a donor. It marks the first step in what is called reproductive cloning, or
producing a genetic duplicate of someone. The technique remains hotly
controversial. The United Nations called upon countries to ban it in
2005, and the United States still prohibits the use of federal funds for
either reproductive or therapeutic cloning.The Church does not object to the use of stem cells, as long as the
cells used do not take human life. In fact, the Church has long been
supportive of adult stem cell research. It has actually produced the most promising and verifiable advances. However, her watchful eye on
protecting the dignity of every human life, at every age and stage, is
essential - as medical science enters into these morally complex areas. All science must be placed at the service of the person, respecting human dignity and not turn persons into products to be used.

The ultimate goal must always respect the dignity of every human life

Highlights

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Researchers created patient-specific cell lines out of the skin cells of two adult men last week. The very same technique was used to create Dolly, the clone of a sheep in 1997.

If confirmed, some say it could prove significant. Many illnesses may one day be treated with stem cells, such as heart failure and vision loss, primarily affect adults. Patient-specific stem cells would have to be created from older cells, not infant or fetal ones. A long and arduous process, the scientists created stem cells only once for each donor out of 39 tries.

Outside experts had different views of the study, which was led by Young Gie Chung of the Research Institute for Stem Cell Research at CHA Health Systems in Los Angeles.

Some were quick to shortchange the announcement. Stem-cell biologist George Daley of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute called it "an incremental advance" and "not earth-shattering."

Reproductive biologist Shoukhrat Mitalipov of Oregon Health and Science University was more positive. "The advance here is showing that [nuclear transfer] looks like it will work with people of all ages," he said.

Mitalipov led the team that used nuclear transfer of fetal and infant DNA to produce stem cells last year. It was the first time it had been accomplished in humans of any age.Of course, the extraction of stem cells from any human embryonic person is always morally objectionable because such extraction takes the life of that embryonic person.

In therapeutic cloning, scientists use a zap of electricity to fuse a grown cell, usually a skin cell, with an ovum whose own DNA has been removed. The egg then divides and multiplies, and within five or six days it develops into an embryo shaped like a hollow sphere.

If the embryo were implanted in a human uterus, it could develop into a clone of the DNA donor, which is how Dolly was created. "Without regulations in place, such embryos could also be used for human reproductive cloning, although this would be unsafe and grossly unethical," Robert Lanza, chief scientist of Massachusetts-based biotech Advanced Cell Technology and a co-author of the new study, said.

The ultimate goal of some scientists is to grow these embryonic stem cells in labs. Technology would then turn into specialized cells for therapeutic use against an illness the DNA donor has, such as Parkinson's disease, heart disease, multiple sclerosis or type-1 diabetes. Because the cells are genetically identical to the donor's, they would not be rejected by the immune system.

The Church does not object to the use of stem cells, as long as the cells used do not take human life. In fact, the Church has long been supportive of adult stem cell research. It has produced the most promising and verifiable advances. However, her watchful eye on protecting the dignity of every human life, at every age and stage, is essential as medical science enters into these morally complex areas. All science must be placed at the service of the person and not turn persons into products to be used.

Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for March 2015
Universal: Scientists: That those involved in scientific research may serve the well-being of the whole human person.
Evangelization: Contribution of women: That the unique contribution of women to the life of the Church may be recognized always.

Comments

Facebook's chief technology officer, Mike Schroepfer promised that the Virtual Reality (VR) program will come into life within the year. The Oculus headset, which was on their top secret list before, was announced to be available soon, but the exact release date is not ... continue reading

The number of young people being admitted for mental treatments since 2010 has rapidly increased. Julie Lynn Evans, a psychotherapist for over 25 years now, is grateful for the additional funding being sent into mental health services, but she believes the dilemma ... continue reading

A
mainstay of United States military defense, stealth bombers have been
around since the Seventies. The Air Force's aging fleet is now ready for
an expensive makeover. The Pentagon intends to develop a high-priority,
super-classified, next-generation bomber. ... continue reading

Classic toy doll, Barbie, has been reinvented after the makers, Mattel received numerous requests for a Barbie doll that kids can talk to, according to a spokesperson of the toy company. Mattel's response is WiFi connected "Hello Barbie" that comes with an installed ... continue reading

New gene-editing techniques are being improved and could soon eliminate inherited diseases from future generations by modifying the DNA of human egg cells. LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Although the idea of editing chromosomes in human eggs or sperm is feared, ... continue reading

A hidden camera disappeared just after an hour of being discovered at a Denver local post office, Fox31 Denver reported. People became alarmed that they are being watched as they drop-off their mails with the possibility of the camera collecting their facial features ... continue reading

By participating in the Ultimate Selfie Campaign (#ultimateselfiecampaign), people can now have millions of people across the United States see their selfie or favorite photo on digital billboards, while helping charities with a $25 donation. The project was an ... continue reading

While
Apple remains unusually successful, there are already naysayers lining
up to predict that the company's forthcoming "Smartwatch" will be a
flop. Many details about the new gadget remain under wraps. Questions
remain about the watch's price, the battery ... continue reading

"Pee Power" is what the people are calling this strange innovation. British students and researchers, from the University of the West of England and the OxFam global aid agency, have invented a mode in which light bulbs can be powered by urine. The University has ... continue reading

In
the event the dead return to life and begin to cannibalize the living,
turning them into hordes of the shuffling undead, theoretically - there
would be few options. Researchers at Cornell University offer a
practical bit of advice should this happen - head ... continue reading